Knee-protector.



T. J. CROWLEY.

KNEE PROTECTOR.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 21,1914.

1,1 17,168, Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHO, WASHING TON. u. v

; UNITED STAWENT 0W1 CEO v v TIMOTHY J. CROWLEY, 01E LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK.

KNEE-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Application filed April 21, 1914. Serial No. 833,488. 7

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TIMOTHY J. QRowLEY, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Long Island City, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knee- Protectors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to knee protectors, and has for its object to provide a devlce of this kind which will not only permit the wearer to kneel on the ground without dan ger of taking cold or contracting rheumatism or some kindred disease, but which Wlll afford comfort to the wearer in this more or less strained position which must necessarlly be assumed in weeding gardens, scrubblng floors, laying carpets, etc.

Another object is to provide more eflective means for holdin the protector 11} place when in use, there y relieving the limbs of the wearer from undue binding or strain.

Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention will be first hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, and then more specifically defined in the claims at the end of the description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views :Figure 1 is a slde view of the knee protector, partly in section and applied as in use. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the knee rotector and Fig. 3 1s a rear elevation of t e same.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the body portion of the rotector which contains a pneumatic chamher 2 controlled by a valve or tube 3. This body portion of the protector is made wide enough to extend well across the knee and long enough to extend some dlstance both below and above the knee so as to afford ample protection. From the lateral edges of the body portion members 4: extend rearwardly to cover the sides of the wearers limb practically the full length of the body portion. These lateral members have projectin portions 5 near the upper and lower ends t ereof, which portions extend around to the back of the limb and are adjustably connected together in pairs by lacings 6, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. It will be noted that one pair of these laced portions 5 is arranged well above the knee and the limb which is not only adjustable to fit ditfen ent sizes of persons but which is, also of such form as not to'bind or cause discomfort in use, said laced portions being wide and therefore incapable of exerting a cutting pressure upon the limb such as would be experienced if a strap or single cord were used. To further romote the comfort of the wearer and retam the protector in proper position against working up on the limb in use, I provide a foot strap 7 attached to the lower end of the side members 5 and adapted to be passed under the instep of the shoe, as illustrated in Fig. 1. This-shoe strap may be adjustably secured in any suitable manner, as by the buckle 8 shown. Its adjustment allows for fitting the protector to persons with difierent lengths of limbs, and positively revents the protector from shifting upwar d on the limb so as to expose the knee. v

The pneumatic chamber in the body portion of the rotector provides a most comfortable cus ion for t e knee to rest upon while performing the various kinds of work requiring a. kneeling posture. In practice, the pneumatic chamber is inflated before the protector is attached to the limb. It is then a simple matter to adjust the laced portions 5 and the foot strap 7 to suit the wearer without binding or causing any other form of discomfort.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a knee protector, the combination with a flexible pneumatic body portion to cover the front of the knee and extend well above and below the same, of lateral members extending along the full length of the body portion and rearwardly therefrom for covering the sides of the knee and also the sides of the limb above and below the same, adjustable means attached to said lateral members to be secured at the back of the limb both above and below the knee, and adjustable means for connecting the protector to the foot of the wearer.

2. In a knee protector, the combination with a body portion to cover the front of the knee, of lateral members attached to the edges of the body portion and extending substantially the full length of the protector, wide rearwardly extending portions at opposite end portions of the lateral members, lacings for adjustably connecting said rearwardly extending portions together in pairs at the back of the limb well above and below the knee, and adjustable means for connecting the protector to the foot of the wearer.

3. In a knee protector, the combination with a body portion to cover the front of the knee, of lateral members attached to the edges of the body portion to cover the sides of the knee, means for adjustably connecting said lateral members at the back of the knee, and flexible adjustable means attached to said lateral members and passed below the instep of the foot of the wearer for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in th presence of two attesting witnesses.

TIMOTHY J. CROWLEY. l Vitnesses WM. M. CHRISTIE, E. STEUERNAGEL.

Copies of thie patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

